The athletes.

Last night at Baywood Greens was The 27th Annual WGMD Sports Boosters Scholarship Awards where outstanding local high school athletes are honored and given $250 in scholarship money, with two, a boy and a girl, receiving the big award of $1,000 each.

WGMD’s Jared Morris and Dan Gaffney. Jared was broadcasting live from the event and Dan was the Master of Ceremonies.

WGMD’s David Schoumacher and $1,000 scholarship winner Max Coveleski from Cape Henlopen High School

Max Coveleski from Cape Henlopen High School took the big prize for the boys. Max will be heading off to Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he’ll be studying Physics and Engineering. AUDIO

Ellen Rowe, $1,000 Scholarship winner from Sussex Tech and WGMD’s David Schoumacher.

Ellen Rowe from Sussex Tech won the $1,000 award for the girls. Ellen will be off to St. Joe’s in Philadelphia. AUDIO

The Hockers from Hocker’s G&E and Hocker’s Supercenter, and the Coveleskis, Max’s parents.

Pastor Gary Knapp from the East Gate Presbyterian Church and his wife Alisa. Pastor Gary opened and closed the event.

The Lawson’s from DryZone are our newest Sports Boosters.

Our sales team. Athletic? Maybe….

Larry Bauer, the keynote speaker, and Jack Renault, WGMD’s General Manager.

Lesley Rogan from Peninsula Rehab and Sports Medicine and Linda Wilson from WGMD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR OUTSTANDING LOCAL ATHLETES!

The Athletes:

Cape Henlopen High School:
Christine MacDonald
*Max Coveleski

Delmarva Christian:
Rachel Lins

Lake Forest:
Abigail Hill
Leland Hobbs

Milford:
Rhonda Thomas
Joel Sullivan

Stephen Decatur:
Allison Justice
Logan West

Sussex Tech:
*Ellen Rowe
Zachary Rickards

Delmar:
Alison Bloodsworth

Indian River:
Brittany Steele
Luke Wingate

Laurel:
Kelsy Ann Gordy
David Bartee

Seaford:
Kelsey Riggleman
Andrew Halter

Sussex Central:
Christin Headley
Ronald Lee Tyndall

Woodbridge:
Sarah Judy
Reuss Idler

 

A wind turbine in Rehoboth Beach that was cranking out energy relentlessly during the last storm.

While it may be a struggle to get a state (cough) to commit to the idea of mass generation of alternative energy, it seems that individuals are stepping up to the plate. But they’re not all doing it necessarily to “go green” as much as to save green.

It stands in a wheat field that is behind a farmhouse, which is down a long dirt road well outside the nearest town.

But Larry Baines’ 50-foot-tall wind turbine seems anything but rural or far-flung.

He’s planning on saving 60 percent on his electricity bill with it, in part because he doesn’t like the trickle-down effect of oil-rich Middle Eastern countries chipping away at his retirement income.

“Every dollar that I can deprive them of, I’ll do it,” he said. “I’m not beholden to anybody in Saudi Arabia.”

A business on Route 1 in Rehoboth with solar panels.

Now, if you want to check out what different solar panels and wind turbines cost and what look like and even feel like there’s a great resource in Sussex County…you can go to the Good For You Natural Market on Route 9 in Georgetown and after you check out their awesome selection of natural and organic groceries, you can go upstairs and check out Flexera.

I think this guy’s name was “Ben.” He told me about the different residential turbines and all about carbon credits.

This is like the turbine at the top of the page.

At Flexera, you can see and feel wind turbines and solar panels and get the low down on what they cost, what you get back, and about those mysterious things called “carbon credits” and how you can get in on trading them. (Trading carbon credits? I’d like to pay someone to lose weight and work out for me but it won’t make me any thinner or healthier. But what the heck, at $155.00 a piece, I’d be happy to sell them to Al Gore so he can fly around on his private jet like a rock star).

If you want an update on Delaware’s proposed off shore wind farm, you can check out the blog Tommywonk, by Tom Noyes. Tom has the skinny on that $240.00 DP&L is trying to get you all riled up about.

Today, the Russell W. Peterson, the vessel Bluewater Wind contratcted out to research the effects of its proposed wind farm on avian life, was still aground in Bethany Beach. One crew member was killed aboard the ship.

I was told officials think the ship has about 1,500 gallons of fuel on board, and at around noon today, about 800 gallons had been pumped out. This was the truck they were pumping the fuel into.

I was told the next step is pumping the water and sand out of the engine room, and then a tug boat will tow it to it’s next destination, where its fate will be determined.

Meanwhile, this is the view from the south, looking north, up Bethany Beach towards the vessel wreckage and the boardwalk.

And yes, that is massive erosion. I was there at low tide and there wasn’t much beach.

And that shows the end of one of the walkways to the beach. This particular walkway was closed off because it was quite a drop when you got to the end, and the Army Corps of Engineers was there with a contractor, checking out the damage to the $23 million beach replenishment project.

The Research Vessel Russell W. Peterson ran aground yesterday in Bethany Beach after two crew members were pulled from the ship. One of the crew members died. (Photo courtesy of a listener.)

The Love Creek Marina at high tide.

Earlier today we found out that the research vessel Russel W. Peterson, which has been studying the potential impact of a wind farm on birds for Bluewater Wind, was in distress and needed Coast Guard intervention. The vessel ran aground in Bethany. We’ve since learned that one of the two crew members on the R/V Russel W. Peterson is dead. Ken Hayes, President of Aqua Survey, the company who owned the vessel released this statement:

This morning the liftboat Russell W. Peterson sent out a distress signal to the US Coast Guard.

The Peterson had been offshore Rehoboth Beach, DE, studying bird migration. The Coast Guard
is to be commended for dispatching rescuers by both sea and air. The Peterson was staffed by
two captains. Both were removed by the Coast Guard. We have been informed that one of the
captains did not survive the ordeal. Aqua Survey is not releasing names at this point. Our hearts
and prayers are with the family and friends of the lost mariner.

Aqua Survey will work closely with the Coast Guard and other agencies to safely and quickly
salvage the vessel.

And this is from Peter Mandelstam, President, Bluewater Wind:

“Everyone here at Bluewater Wind is deeply saddened by this tragic occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the captain’s family, friends, and loved ones.”

The public parking lot at the end of Savannah Road in Lewes. It’s all sand.

A tree blocking the eastbound lane of King’s Highway, that’s the road to Cape Henlopen High School and the District office if you’re coming from Route 1 north. School was on time, but then around 8:30 a.m., an hour after the start of the day for many schools, the automated call came from the District Office that you shouldn’t send your child to school if there was flooding in your area…little late, fellas.

Downtown Milton.

The end of Old Landing Road.

Route 1 by Five Points.

The ocean at the Indian River Inlet.

A snowplow keeping Route 1 directly north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge free of sand.

The ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth did a good job weathering the storm so far.

A small windmill on a home in Rehoboth cranking out power like a champ.

And, the R/V Russell W. Peterson, the research vessel that Bluewater Wind launched to study the possible impact of their wind farm on avian life, has run into trouble:

From WGMD News:

The Coast Guard responded to a distress call from a research vessel off the coast of Rehoboth Beach. Authorities say two people aboard the Russell W. Peterson activated an electronic positioning radio beacon and reported that the boat was breaking up and taking on water about 14 miles off the coast. A helicopter crew from the Coast Guard air station in Atlantic City, N.J., was on the scene, and two small boats from Cape May and Ocean City were also en route. The vessel, named after a former Delaware governor active in environmental issues, was christened in Wilmington just six weeks ago and was being used by Bluewater Wind to study migratory bird routes in connection with the proposed offshore wind farm.

More to come as the tide rolls in…

I went to the Delaware Republican Party’s Convention this weekend at the Baycenter in Dewey Beach and it was quite a treat. I think the best way to give you the feeling of the Convention is with pictures and audio, and maybe a story or two…(if you see someone’s name highlighted, click on it and you’ll get their audio)….

Priscilla Rakestraw (left) and Michele Rollins.I had to put this picture on the top of the page, because it’s my favorite picture from the entire event. It’s Priscilla Rakestraw, the State’s Republican National Committeewoman, and Michele Rollins, who I would love to see run for office someday soon. (I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t see Michele Rollins turning the State’s serious pollution problems into a joke by wading out into the bay and staring at her Keds, and she’d kick butt on healthcare.)


From left to right this is Clerk of the Peace George Parish and his wife Bunny, Charlotte Hastings and her husband, 41st District Representative Greg Hastings.

Friday night I sat with a table of fine Sussex Countians, right in between Judson Bennett and Representative Ben Ewing. The picture above was the good looking side of the table. I kind of noticed that there were a lot of people wearing “Tim Smith” stickers where I was sitting. Tim Smith won the vote in Sussex County over Christine O’Donnell 44-35, but it was the Northern part of the State that gave her the endorsement to run for the Senate against Joe Biden. Pretty interesting considering O’Donnell got the majority of her write-in votes in 2006 from Sussex. O’Donnell needed 60% of the vote and she got 60.7%. Smith said he would stick to his promise to not primary O’Donnell.


41st District Representative Greg Hastings and US Senate Candidate Christine O’Donnell.

The “Draft Bill Lee” movement was successful, with Judge William Lee receiving over 80% of the vote to win the endorsement from the Delaware State Republican Party to run for Governor over Mike Protack. Judge Lee was in Orlando on vacation with members of his family, and was expected to happily accept the honor.


“Brud” Lee, speaking to the Convention after his father was endorsed by the Party to run for Governor.   

“I’m sure he’ll be as honored as I feel, personally, that his ideals and his name is thought of in such high regard by republicans.” ~ Brud Lee, son of Judge Bill Lee 

 

State Senator Charlie Copeland accepting the Party’s endorsement for Lt. Governor.

Delaware Republican State Chairman, Terry Strine, stepped down as party head after losing his National Committeeman seat the previous night to Laird Stabler by a 40-35 vote. Tom Ross, a New Castle County Republican, will be taking Strine’s place in the top spot.


The new Delaware Republican Party Chairman, Tom Ross

I asked the new Party Chair if he was the fighter the Delaware Republican Party needed right now:   

“I have no problem fighting. Anyone that knows me would be glad to let you know that I’m not afraid to mix it up. But we’re going to run a very aggressive, vigorous campaign because quite frankly, in a nutshell, we’re right on the issues and the other side has broken this state.” ~ New Delaware State GOP Chair, Tom Ross 

 

4th Senatorial District Candidate Michael Fleming

And how could I not mention Michael Fleming, (aka “Michael Flemming”), who’s running for Charlie Copeland’s seat in the 4th Senatorial District? I went to college with Michael, and thankfully, people thought he was older than me. That’s really why I’m mentioning him, and he knows it.

“‘Cause I love Sussex Countians.” ~ Clerk of the Peace George Parish 

That was the quote that made the entire Convention totally worth it. 

A member of The Milton Historical Society approached me shortly before Christmas and asked me to video-tape long-time local residents for showing at the upcoming “Opening of the 1957 Time Capsule.” Being a lover of all things nostalgia and amateur film making, I agreed without bothering to check my schedule and wife.

Knowing my involvement with the event, Maria Evans (Editor, TalkOfDelmarva.com, the Blog) asked me to “cover” the event for you, the BLOG readers. Again, I agreed without checking my available time.

In this time, much has happened in Milton… so here it is:

The Time Capsule Opening

When I arrived at the Milton Theatre it was already standing room only! Every seat in the place was taken and folks were milling about in the common area. There was a certain energy and excitement about the crowd. There were folks who had lived their entire lives in the area and people who had recently moved in.

Mayor Don Post did a surprisingly great job as Master of Ceremonies for the event. I saw him to be entertaining and well-spoken on the stage working without a script and dealing with some technical issues.

The announcement was made that they were about to remove the concrete top to the capsule and the standing crowd proceeded out the door to watch. Those with seats tended to stay where they were, eying the size of the crowd who had already gone out to surround the small box.

Not long after, the wooden crate which was inside the outer capsule was carried into the Milton Theater. As it passed people craned their necks to get a glimpse of the contents.

I raised my camera as high as I could getting two shots off as it passed, this one shows what would come to disappoint many in the audience..

Water Damage! Sadly, water had found its way into the capsule during its 50 year slumber, damaging much of the contents.

The good and bad news was that most of the documentation placed in the capsule was redundant! Items such as the High School Yearbook and Sesquicentennial Brochures, posters and even the banner had already been preserved by members of the community and were in better shape than the contents of the capsule!

Local business woman and member of the Milton Historical Society Ellen Passman took the stage and began a lengthy dissertation in “50’s speak” which garnered many laughs.

During the event they showed my 15 minute film of interviews about life in Milton in the 50’s by many local residents which was also a crowd pleaser.

After the show we celebrated with a reception. In all it was a great time to reflect on Milton’s past with an eye to the future as young and old shook hands and got to know each other better to the sounds of 50’s music.

Every December media outlets recap their favorite and/or biggest stories for the year. In that same tradition, I’ve decided to put up some of my favorite blog pictures of the year and 10 posts I’ve made that I feel changed the course of world history and, of course, saved all of humanity.

My Favorite Pictures of 2007

A beautiful day at Tower Road.

A Civil War Reenactment during Milton’s 200th Anniversary.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner running away from me and out of the Georgia House in Millsboro the night of the 41st District special election.

Even after his resignation from the State House for ethics issues, John Atkins’ supporters launched a failed write in campaign to send him back to Dover. His campaign signs cropped up all over the 41st.

The table where Laura Bush ate breakfast at the Royal Treat on Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

The Cohen brothers, they found the ill fated Rissos dolphin washed up at Tower Road.

The Rissos dolphin dying on the beach at Tower Road.

The SINKING South Side approach of the “new” Indian River Inlet bridge and the road it tried to pull down with it.

John Andretti, I met him. How cool.

The “Dic Dang” sandwich at the Corner Market Bistro in Milton.

Lighting the balloons up like lanterns during Milton’s 200th Anniversary celebration.

Joe Biden talking about Iraq at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue.

Jared Morris and Dan Gaffney having fun at the Best of Delaware celebration in Dover. (And yes, Dan always has that light shining above him, it’s the most amazing thing…).

The French invade Rehoboth Beach.

Disheveled Barbies from Washington DC spotted loitering on Columbia Avenue after their Dream House furniture was recalled.

Dr Wray and Stell Parker Selby changing seats at the Cape Henlopen School Board meeting in December after Wray resigned the Presidency.

My Favorite Posts of 2007

# Ten: Your Sussex County Council

# Neuf: The French visit Rehoboth

# Eight: The Atkins Scandal

# Seven: The Indian River Inlet Bridge

# Six: Biden at Browseabout Books

# Five: European Football

# Four: Laura Bush visits Rehoboth Beach

# Three: My interview with John Andretti

# Two: Toy Recalls

# One: The Global Warming

The Cape Henlopen School Board from left to right: Selby, Brittingham, Stone, Wray, Redden, Conlon. Not pictured: Coveleski, Prettyman.

At the Cape Henlopen School Board meeting at Mariner Middle School, it was Milton Elementary School once again topping the “Citizens’ Participation for Improvement” part of the agenda. In fact, three parents spoke that night and all three have kids at MES.

Milton Elementary School parent Sharon Davis.

Sharon Davis was there that night to address the issue of the bricks on the school’s new addition. As an MES parent myself, I’d heard rumors about a problem with the color of the exterior bricks on the addition. The school was built in the 1930s to serve as a middle school, and the original structure was red brick while the addition was white brick.

Thursday morning at my favorite little spot for coffee in downtown Milton, I asked a Miltonian “in the know,” and a woman who works at the Town Hall if the rumors were true. The answer was “no.” Neither of them had heard of any complaints about the color of the bricks on the school’s addition.

Cape School Board members Camilla Conlon and Noble Prettyman.

But alas, the rumors were apparently true, and from what I understand it was School Board member and Milton resident, Noble Prettyman, who raised the brick issue.

Is it important? Well, this is the deal…if you’ve ever built a house you know the monetary horrors of the “change order.” Changing the bricks on the school would be a “change order” since the white bricks were agreed on, (we’ll get to that later). So it’ll cost money and the District is already in the red and increasing class size to balance their ballooning budget. (All of those links will take you to stories about MES parents fighting larger class sizes at the school and complaining about wasteful spending by the Board). Parent Sharon Davis explains where the issue of “brick color” falls on the Parental Importance Scale in her presentation to the Board.

Mrs. Davis also addressed concerns about delaying the use of the addition while the new bricks are being installed. The smallest children in the school have to put on and take off jackets and navigate through construction, maybe 10 times a day, to get to the main building according to Davis. She also calculated this out to be an hour or more of time that could be used to do things like learning stuff.

The Board seemed to understand. Dr. Stone assured the crowd that if the bricks were changed, it would happen when school was out.

And here is the much awaited answer to the question, “Why in the world did they use white bricks on an otherwise red brick school anyway?” OK, this is what I’ve been told…Rehoboth Elementary School and MES were both slated for additions. They made one big order of bricks. Rehoboth’s addition looks pretty good and isn’t getting complaints.

Sharon Davis makes her entire case to the Cape Henlopen School Board in this clip. And yes, pictures of MES and the addititon to follow…you’ve gotta have pictures….

A view of historic downtown Milton.

Once again the town of Milton has proved itself the place to be for history, art, music and even a little rum punch.

The Milton Historical Society had it’s second annual Auction and Garden Party on Saturday where you could bid on everything from rides in vintage airplanes to rare books and antiques. The best part was that it was outside on a perfectly clear and cool night, you couldn’t have asked for more…but there was….

Surfers at the Indian River Inlet were the subject of this oil painting by Karen Snoots.

At the Federal Street Gallery it was “A Celebration of the Ocean” featuring oil paintings by Karen Snoots and photography from local Sussex Countians Jim Mott and Gary Cooke, all with portions of the proceeds benefitting local non profit organizations.

You can LISTEN to Mark Carter, Chairperson of the Delaware Surfrider Foundation, one of the evening’s beneficiaries, talk about what Surfrider does in Delaware and nationally, HERE. You can listen to Mark talk about the art show in Milton that runs through September 30th HERE. And HERE Mark talks about what’s coming up for Surfrider the weekend of the 22nd.

And you can LISTEN to Karen Snoots discuss her art and what inspires her HERE.

As for the rum punch…I liked that, too….